Northern Michigan Predators Gone?

[Global-Hockey]

Looks like this is the end of the IIHL. I know the fans in Northern Michigan will miss having Pro Hockey. I wonder who Mike will blame this on? I am sure his dealings, management skills and superior leadership will not fall blame to this. Good luck to Joe and the former Predators. :(

[Big Chris]

I don't see Joe leaving Harbour Springs just yet. The Preds' season is lost now but all may not be lost for next year. If Joe shows his committment to the organization for next year in another league then the people will support the franchise. The question is can they expand their arena to accomidate WHA2 or the SEHL or something like that?

If he can answer those questions in the next 6 months HS will be hosting minor pro hockey in the next few years afterall.

[hockeydude1983]

options:

1-Could it be possible to buy out the IIHL from its owner? Then the 6 teams could try to have a short 24 games season and then spend more time to build something credilble for next year?

2-Like the Northern Michigan Predators GM said in his press release, playing in another league could be an option if there is no solutions to finish the IIHL season. But that migh be difficult for this year, all leagues have already started, so it would be an option for next year. What are the options? How about the Great Lakes Hockey League? Seems close enough gographically.

Any other options?

[Global-Hockey]

The only league that the Predators could get into would be the UHL. With teams in Muskegon, Flint, Fort Wayne, Kalamazoo. Would not make sense to try another league with travel expenses. This could still be a bus league team.

[hockeydude1983]

I am not really from the area, thats why i am asking, but would it be much longer traveling from Harbour Spring to Calumet, Portage Lake, Eagle River, Mossinee, Waupun, Green Bay, Appleton, Fond Du Lac, Milwaukee and Madison then it is to Athens and Huntington?

I am asking, because if the IIHL doesnt survive, the GLHL would be the most logistic league of the same caliber where survivor teams of the IIHL could go to. The NEHL is way to far, and most IIHL markets dont have the facility to host a UHL or ECHL team.

I know the GLHL doesnt consider itself a pro or semi-pro hockey league, but i doubt the caliber of the league is much weaker then the IIHL and NEHL. The GLHL is register on USA hockey as a senior elite league (the only one in the usa) and i personnaly consider it as semi-pro, because its the highest level under the pros. A few years back, some GLHL teams played exhibition games against some GCHL (Gulf Coast Hockey League) teams, the GCHL was an attempt at the A level of pro hockey that failed after one year. Its founder was the same guy that started the NEHL this year, wich is the same caliber as the IIHL. Thats why i consider the GLHL the best option for IIHL survivors (if the league really fails), it is probably around the same caliber of play.

[GBFan]

Here is the leaue website.

http://www.eteamz.com/GLHL/

[davyd83]

One GLHL team (Portage Lake/ Houghton, MI) played one game against the GCHL's Texarkana Bandits. The team iced by Portage Lake wasn't actually its regular roster, but included players from Calumet and other UP areas. The GLHL is not on the "Adult ELITE" level, as Texarkana was and as the Minneapolis Bucks and New York St. Nicks are. The GLHL is in the second division of USA Hockey Adult Division, Adult US.

That being said, Harbor Springs nearest GLHL cities, Houghton & Calumet are about 6 hours away, although the level of play is quite comparable. If the IIHL team was to try to enter and/ or play against GLHL teams (which are amateur), they would also have to be amateur. The most that they could do for their players is to provide housing and meal money.

[hockeydude1983]

Do you know if GLHL teams are allow to have import players on their roster?